A Ranker's breakthrough was an intensely personal affair, an unveiling of their unique Individuality when reaching new heights of power.
The other Rankers understood the significance of such a moment and didn't question Eren's decision to have his privacy during this crucial event. With brief verbal wishes and knowing nods, they dispersed from the scene, leaving Eren with the protection of his trusted companions.
Renita, Altashia, and the members of the White Raven Guild stayed within the vicinity, forming a protective perimeter around their comrade. They also maintained a safe distance from Eren just for him to have his privacy and go through with his breakthrough.
Eren knew that he would be most vulnerable during the shattering of his current mana core, making way for the formation of the B-Rank mana core inside him. This battlefield was no place for indiscretion, as enemy kingdoms could exploit his vulnerable state if they caught wind of his breakthrough.
The prospect of slaying the renowned Grimdawn from Edinburgh would bestow Layos' Rankers with immeasurable fame and benefits. Therefore, Eren anticipated that unwelcome visitors would soon approach him once news of his peculiar state reached the ears of Layos' Rankers, who were still engaged in battle with the remaining squads from Edinburgh.
The battlefield was a precarious ground, and Eren knew he must remain vigilant against potential threats seeking to exploit his vulnerable condition for their own gain. It was crucial to have reliable defenders during this critical time.
With the wyvern's corpse safely secured in a specially crafted space-element urn, Eren took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for the momentous event about to unfold.
Seeking additional assurance and protection, Eren called out to a particular individual who had patiently awaited his summons.
"Miss Timeless..."
Alephee emerged from her pendant abode promptly, already aware of Eren's status, eliminating the need for any explanations.
"Don't worry, Eren. Focus on your breakthrough, and leave the rest to me."
Alephee assured, positioning herself in front of Eren. Grateful for her presence, he smiled and nodded before assuming a meditative lotus position. With his eyes closed, he began to practice the Roortless Ranking Technique, a method he had painstakingly modified through years of research.
Observing Eren closely, Alephee's expression held both warmth and concern. Conducting a quick Soul Sense inspection, she verified that Eren was primed for a successful breakthrough into the Master Rank. She was determined to leave nothing to chance during this crucial phase. Raising her hand, she tapped into her powers.
Authority Over Time: The Frozen Flow
With a display of her unique authority over time, Alephee summoned forth a dome-shaped barrier of mystic spiritual energy, forming an exclusive time-element domain that none could enter or exit without her permission. Within this extraordinary space, the flow of time was deliberately slowed, creating an ideal environment for Eren's breakthrough.
As Eren found himself submerged in a dense, illusory fluid that restricted his movements, even his heartbeat seemed to slow. In this protected cocoon, he could solely focus on the monumental task of achieving the Master Rank.
As Eren's mana core reached its saturation point, having absorbed mana from the surrounding environment, he decided to seize control of his destiny rather than leave anything to chance. While the mysterious state of Battle Trance had undeniably facilitated his breakthrough into the coveted Master Rank, he yearned to shape his future with his own hands, guided by his unwavering determination.
Eren thrived on being in command, his cautious nature always shielding him from unforeseen perils. Despite the allure of the miraculous effects induced by the Battle Trance, he was resolved to claim his advancement on his own terms, demanding rather than passively accepting what the universe had to offer.
Drawing upon the potent Rootless Ranking Technique, Eren compelled his mana core to absorb even more mana, despite its brimming state. To further assert his control, he deliberately blocked all his mana circuits, directing the mana within his mana veins to increase the pressure on his core.
Stress lines etched themselves over Eren's forehead as an overwhelming feeling of dread washed over him. The mana he attempted to absorb seemed to threaten to implode within him, posing a severe risk of damage. His mana circuits were already inflated from his intense battle with the wyvern, their condition only worsening under the pressure of the dreadful stress emanating from the depths of his being.
A torrent of pain engulfed Eren as he felt every fiber of his being undergo cellular damage. His skin ruptured in multiple places, and his bones seemed to fracture under the pressure of an unknown force. Blood began to flow from various bodily orifices as his body struggled to accommodate the surging mana, surpassing its normal limits.
Eren's journey had been relatively smooth sailing until now. His previous breakthroughs, from Rank F to Rank C, had been stressful but not life-threatening. However, breaking into the Master Rank was an entirely different ordeal. It felt like a gamble with his life, a dangerous line he was treading between life and death.
'This… this is bad. I won't be able to stay in control for much longer. Should… Should I stop controlling the mana flow and let it flow freely?'
As he gasped for breath, the butcher instinctively grasped the severity of the situation. His heart pounded in his chest, and sweat poured from his body. The pain and misery he endured made it increasingly difficult to maintain focus, pushing him towards relinquishing control and allowing events to take their course.
'No… Just a bit longer.'
In the midst of the turmoil, Eren gritted his teeth and resolved to hold on for just a little longer. Rather than allowing his mana core to succumb to the pressure, he harnessed the building pressure inside him as a medium to contain its state, fortifying it while continuing to bombard it with more mana.
This instinct-driven yet strategic move allowed him to accumulate an even greater amount of mana within his body, albeit with a measure of controlled struggle.
AN: Alephee's usage of Authority Over Time: The Frozen Flow was mentioned in chapter 1213.
